foreclose

[ fawr-klohz, fohr- ]

verb (used with object)

, fore·closed, fore·clos·ing.

1. Law.
   1. to deprive (a mortgagor or pledgor) of the right to redeem their property, especially on failure to make payment on a mortgage when due, ownership of property then passing to the mortgagee.
   2. to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
2. to shut out; exclude; bar.
3. to hinder or prevent, as from doing something.
4. to establish an exclusive claim to.
5. to close, settle, or answer beforehand.

verb (used without object)

, fore·closed, fore·clos·ing.

1. to take away the right to redeem a mortgage or pledge.

foreclose

/ fɔːˈkləʊz; fɔːˈkləʊʒə /

verb

1. law to deprive (a mortgagor, etc) of the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge)
2. tr to shut out; bar
3. tr to prevent or hinder
4. tr to answer or settle (an obligation, promise, etc) in advance
5. tr to make an exclusive claim to

Derived Forms

• foreclosure, noun
• foreˈclosable, adjective

Other Words From

• fore·closa·ble adjective
• nonfore·closing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreclose¹

First recorded 1250–1300; Middle English foreclosen from Old French forclos, past participle of forclore “to exclude,” equivalent to for- “out” + clore “to shut” (from Latin claudere )

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreclose¹

C15: from Old French forclore , from for- out + clore to close, from Latin claudere

Example Sentences

Finally, a Trump presidency probably forecloses any possibility of his being included in any additional state prosecutions.

From Los Angeles Times

The judge asked his wife, Susan, if she understood that their house could be foreclosed if Mr Jeffries failed to show up to court.

From BBC

His house had been foreclosed on, and he was himself, as the New York Times described him, a “white-haired, tattered public charge.”

From Los Angeles Times

One of the lenders, Qualfax, foreclosed and took ownership of the property in March.

From Los Angeles Times

The “House of Cards” actor’s waterfront mansion was foreclosed on after he defaulted on his $20,000 monthly mortgage payments, the Baltimore Banner reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expropriate